Approximately 17,000 Ohioans Apply Online For Medicaid

Ohio officials say they've received more than 17,000 applications from people seeking Medicaid health coverage through a new state website.

The online enrollment option became available Dec. 9 to eligible low-income families, along with individuals who fell under an expansion of the federal-state program for the poor and disabled. It wasn't clear how many online applications came from those newly eligible under the Medicaid extension.

A spokesman for the state's Medicaid department says the website has been working smoothly.

County caseworkers will have to finalize most of the initial online applications. But the state expects the enrollment process to be more automated in the coming months.

Gov. John Kasich's administration moved forward with expanding Medicaid last fall. Coverage for the newly eligible took effect Wednesday.